“No Time Soon, Baby!”
January 10th, 2013
There’s been much speculation about Ronde Barber’s potential 2013 return, and Tampa Bay Times beat writer Stephen Holder penned a feature hedging many sides of the issue yesterday.
But one nugget that gets routinely overlooked comes from Barber’s own words. While Barber never commits one way or the other publicly about a return during interviews, he did tell Keyshawn Johnson that he had no plans to retire in the near future. NFL Films had Barber “miked up” for the Bucs-Eagles, Super Bowl reunion game in December. And the following exchange caught an enthusiastic Barber giving a fast answer to the big question.
Keyshawn Johnson: Still playing, boy. When are you going to retire, man?
Ronde Barber: No time soon, baby!
Joe thinks it’s very unlikely Barber will retire in 2013. He’s healthy. He’s productive. He’s stated that he’s been invigorated by the challenge of safety. And if Team Glazer is willing to pay him $3 million again to play in 2013, that’s still significant incentive.
Holder floated a possibility that Barber might not want to go through a grueling Greg Schiano training camp again, but in Joe’s mind that’s not a factor because Barber definitely would have the flexibility to limit his training camp activities if he felt the need.
January 10th, 2013 at 9:47 am
With Ray Lewis and Tony Gonzalez both retiring at the end of this season I wonder what Ronde will do. As a BUCS fan I would love just one final year to truly find a solid replacement.
January 10th, 2013 at 9:50 am
If Ronde didn’t play Safety I think he would retire now, however he stated he really enjoyed playing safety. I assume he will return for this upcoming season Go BUCS!!!!!!
January 10th, 2013 at 9:52 am
I guarantee he comes back. He knows we’re going to Playoffs next year. He’s healthy too……..
January 10th, 2013 at 10:02 am
There is no way he is done. He will announce he is retiring prior to having his last game ever at Raymond James Stadium. He will have an opportunity to have a fitting goodbye to the fans. Write that down. 0% chance of retirement.
January 10th, 2013 at 10:36 am
Sry but barber needs to retire…his number should be retired as well. We need to sign. Jarious. Byrd.
January 10th, 2013 at 11:04 am
@Raphael
Go to hell.
January 10th, 2013 at 11:31 am
This was prior to the Eagles game…not after. I hope I’m wrong but my gut tells me he’s done.
January 10th, 2013 at 11:36 am
Whatever Ronde decides, I’m all for it. We know he has the Bucs best interest at heart. He will know when to step aside, He’ll know when another teammate legitimately begins to push for his spot. Once that happens, hopefully he’ll make way and take on more of a secondary role, or specialist role. Either way Ronde will do the right thing, and he hasn’t given us a reason why not to believe him to this point. If Ronde says he’s fit to play at a demanding high level again, then I believe him.
January 10th, 2013 at 12:25 pm
I’m more or less in the same camp as JonBuc.
January 10th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
I would like to sign byrd and barber could play corner because as of now him and leonard johnson are better than all the others we have
January 10th, 2013 at 1:49 pm
Ronde has stated he actually enjoys the challenge of a hard camp. It motivates him. He’s not soft like many of these young players coming out of college. I expect him to be back for one more season.
January 10th, 2013 at 2:25 pm
I was skeptical about the position change, but was proved wrong. Ronde played much better at FS in 2012 than he had at corner the previous couple of years. In fact, he was Pro Football Focus’ #2-rated safety.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/01/01/free-agent-safeties/
And you sure can’t beat Barber’s track record for showing up & playing every game.
January 10th, 2013 at 3:14 pm
He should have made the damn pro bowl, i agree with the whole fiiting farewell statement. Watching Ray do it in BMore with his fam/fans, Ronde deserves the same here. Not ending on another miserable note.
@Paul.W Bwahahahahahaha that literally made me lol
January 10th, 2013 at 3:16 pm
idk, I think hes done. It would be great to see him play 1 more season though. then he would be able to groom whatever CB we draft to replace him. Just think, a talented young player under the tutelage of Ronde’s knowledge and experience could only be a good thing.
January 10th, 2013 at 3:26 pm
I like the idea of signing Byrd well have good safety rotation in barber an Byrd and Barron and black.
January 10th, 2013 at 3:36 pm
Best news of the offseason so far!
January 10th, 2013 at 3:49 pm
I really want Ronde to get another playoff win at least before he goes. He deserves that much at least.
January 10th, 2013 at 10:46 pm
Barber needs to retire he is the reason why Mark barron was playing FS all year long because ronde can’t cover the back field he actually hurting the growth of the team
January 10th, 2013 at 11:16 pm
One more year then secondary coach 🙂
January 11th, 2013 at 8:55 am
To say Ronde Barber is hurting the development of this team is rediculous. I mean really. He is the only Free safety on the 2012 Buccaneers that had the most interceptions (I think). Simply put, if Greg Schiano thought Ronde wasn’t the best player for free safety (and i’m sure he’s thought about it long and hard) then Ronde wouldn’t be a free safety. He is the best free safety this team can get out of nearly every player in the NFL, exept for the guy who was rated #1. He knows how to tackle with minimum physical damage and maximum effectiveness, he knows to always be around the ball, he’s a Future Hall of Fame player, and like Ray Lewis, He can develope new players to the Bucs better than any defensive coordinator. So that’s all there is to say. Ronde should stay until he starts failing physicals.
January 11th, 2013 at 8:56 am
Minimum physical damage for his body, that is.
January 11th, 2013 at 7:58 pm
But he wasn’t playing fs they had him playing ss the entire season that’s why barron was always playing in the back field barron never got the chance to roam the box like a real as because ronde doesn’t have the legs to cover wr deep anymore.
January 11th, 2013 at 11:34 pm
The PFF number’s show he had a pretty good year at safety.But you people do realize he’s second on a list of 2013 FREE AGENT’S.Not all NFL safety’s.Seen this the other day with Bigger’s people were stateing that PFF ranked him the 12 best corner in the league.No he’s the 12th best 2013 free agent CB.